library

Our research library is one of the most important features of the Rock Island County Historical Society and is used extensively by local and visiting historians and genealogists, news media, businesses, and the academic community. The wealth of materials in the archival library continually grows and a well-informed volunteer staff provides assistance.

The Rock Island County Historical Society charges non-members $5.00 per day to use the research library. We are a non-profit society and we receive no city, county, state or federal funding. We are only funded through our membership and donations. Non-members can join at any time to enjoy free use of the research library.

12,000+ books on regional history and genealogy
150+ archival collections
Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Archive Project with Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, Putnam Museum, Davenport, Iowa, Davenport Public Library, and the Musser Public Library, Muscatine, Iowa.
Newspapers, 1857 to the present.
Vertical files -- indexed by township, including
people, families, businesses, organizations, and historical subjects
City directories, county census records, maps,
school yearbook collection
Family history collections.
Art, artifacts, video and audio history
Posters and broadsides, photograph and post card collections

Research by the Rock Island County Historical Society staff is as follows:
A $15 per hour research fee ($12.00 for members), will be charged to research the archives for information pertaining to various historical events, people in history or your ancestor's background in the Rock Island County area. A $5.00 research fee is charged to research an obituary when the exact date is known. The one-hour, non-refundable fee is required to initiate the research. Before we begin the research, we must receive a letter including names, dates, and places, and as much information as you have found. If you are a member and wish to come to the library, there is no charge for using our facility and you may do your own research. Our staff is available to help you. Donations are always appreciated. If you have questions, contact us by e-mail or call us at (309)764-8590. Please fill out the Research Request Form, include $15.00 to initiate the search, and send your letter to:

STACKS IN RICHS LIBRARY

Rock Island County birth, marriage, and death indexes
Database of Moline Memorial Park Cemetery
Card catalog to the RICHS collections
Newspapers for Rock Island County
60,000 name obituary database
City directories from 1856 to the present
Microfilm census (1830-1930)
Plat maps, atlases & old maps
DAR lineage books
Mayflower family books
Donated family histories

Please understand that since we are a non-profit organization and are staffed by volunteers who work one day a week, you will need to allow us three to four weeks for us to complete your research. This service does not generate profit for us, but rather helps us maintain our facilities. The hours of the research library are: Wednesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. -- 4:00 p.m.

THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS WILL BE SEARCHED:

RICHS COLLECTION INCLUDES:

Rock Island County Historical Society
ATTN: Research Request
822 11th Avenue
Moline, IL 61265-1221

Rock Island County Historical Society Research Library

EARLY NEWSPAPERS

In addition to the above, RICHS is now housing the collection of the Rock Island County Illinois Genealogical Society. Click on their name to learn more about their organization.

822 11th Avenue. Moline, IL 61265-1221 E-mail: Information@richs.cc

Phone (309) 764-8590 *Library hours: Wednesday -- Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

*Closed: Thanksgiving Week
and December 21, 2011 thru January 2, 2012

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